By Wesley Bauer & Cody Easton | Collaborative Reporters

Finished with his career as a player, Marshfield graduate Scott Carpenter recently returned to the Bay Area to give back to the program he was so involved in as an adolescent. Carpenter will use what he learned as a collegiate athlete and coach to improve the baseball program as the new head coach.

Carpenter was seven years old when he started playing baseball in Coos Bay. During his junior year at MHS, his team went to the playoffs; the first Pirate team to do so since 1962. After graduating, he moved on to Lane Community College to begin his education in criminal justice but continued playing baseball.

“I played [baseball] two years at Lane Community College in Eugene,” Carpenter said. “Then I played at Missouri Valley for another two years.”

Carpenter accomplished a great deal during his playing years. At Missouri Valley College, Carpenter’s team came one game away from super-regionals.

After playing at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri, Carpenter stayed to help coach the Viking baseball team.

“I coached the pitchers last year at Missouri Valley College,” Carpenter said. “I also coached a little league team as well.”

Even with his playing years behind him, Carpenter wanted to be involved with the sport he had grown up with and loved, and applied for the position as the head baseball coach at Marshfield.

“I love the game,” Carpenter said. “I wasn’t ready to hang up the cleats for good.”

Athletic Director Mike George believes Carpenter’s family living in the area had a large influence on his return. Carpenter also missed local outdoor activities that he partook in as a child, such as hunting and fishing.

“His [Carpenter’s] family lives here,” George said. “He wanted to move back here and become part of the community again.”

Carpenter applied for the position along with a number of other applicants, and was chosen because of his ties with the program and community. According to George, he was a better fit than any other applicant because of his young age and experience with the program.

“He understands Marshfield and this community,” George said. “He understands the whole make up of our school.”

Senior Doug Molzahn and sophomore Austin Soria, returning varsity players, are excited for change. Soria believes playing for Carpenter will be an even more positive experience than his freshman season.

“Overall I think it will be funner than last year,” Soria said “Last year we lost a lot and this year will be a complete different story.”

After his first three seasons, Molzahn recognized the need for the program to head in a new direction. He believes a new coach could be great for the team.

“It’s a change and we needed change,” Molzahn said. “I’m excited for a new young coach this year.”

According to George, Carpenter is thrilled to be the head coach. He will stick around because of his relationship with the sport.

“One of the things he expressed to us is this is what he wants to do and this is where he wants to be,” George said.

Carpenter has a positive outlook on the season and wants the team to improve.

“I just want to get better every day, and become better on and off the field,” Carpenter said. “Becoming better teammates, wins will come with that.”